What is a "major life activity"?

"Major life activities" include but are not limited to functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.  As of January 1, 2009, Congress added additional examples to include eating, sleeping, standing, lifting, bending, reading, concentrating, thinking, and communicating.  Major life activities also includes “major bodily functions” that are major life activities, such as the functions of the immune system, normal cell growth, digestive, bowel, bladder, neurological, brain, respiratory, circulatory, endocrine, and reproductive functions. The list of examples of major life activities is not exclusive, and an activity or function not specifically listed in the Section 504 regulatory provision can be a major life activity.